Ice making machine

ABSTRACT

An ice-making machine comprising a plurality of ice-forming molds or cups; a rotatable water spray bar for communicating make-up water from a water sump toward the molds during a freezing cycle; a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condensor and an evaporator for freezing water sprayed into the molds; a water holding tank or platen for retaining thawing water in heat transfer relationship to the ice molds to effect release of the ice formed therein during a harvest cycle, with the platen including means providing for a controlled flow of water into the water sump to cause dilution of the make-up water and thus minimize any accumulation of foreign material within the water system; the refrigerator evaporator, ice-forming molds, water spray bar, as well as the water sump and platen being arranged in a compact unitized assembly; and a control system for operating the spray bar and associated water pump continuously during both the harvest and freezing cycles, whereby to assist in effecting release of the ice formed in the ice-forming molds and thus reduce the overall cycle time of the machine.

United States Patent [1 1 Dickson et al.

[4 1 Feb. 12, 1974 ICE MAKING MACHINE Inventors: George Dickson; Robert K.

Westergaard, both of Alden, Minn.

Assignee: King-Seeley Thermos Co., Ann

Arbor, Mich.

Filed: Oct. 18, 1971 Appl. No.: 190,234

Primary ExaminerWilliam E. Wayner Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firml-larness, Dickey 8L Pierce ABSTRACT An ice-making machine comprising a plurality of iceforming molds or cups; a rotatable water spray bar for communicating make-up water from a water sump toward the molds during a freezing cycle; a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condensor and an evaporator for freezing water sprayed into the molds; a water holding tank or platen for retaining thawing water in heat transfer relationship to the ice molds to effect release of the ice formed therein during a harvest cycle, with the platen including means providing for a controlled flow of water into the water sump to cause dilution of the make-up water and thus minimize any accumulation of foreign material within the water system; the refrigerator evaporator, iceforming molds, 'water spray bar, as well as the water sump and platen being arranged in a compact unitized assembly; and a control system for operating the spray bar and associated water pump continuously during both the harvest and freezing cycles, whereby to assist in effecting release of the ice formed in the iceforming molds and thus reduce the overall cycle time of the machine.

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' BY%Z/77 /4 @22 4/24 K M ICE MAKING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In U. S. Pat. No. 2,949,019, issued Aug. 16, 1960; No. 3,465,537, issued Sept. 9, 1969; No. 3,559,424, issued Feb. 2, 1971, and reissue US. Pat. No. 26,101, issued Oct. 1 l, 1966, all of which patents are assigned to the assignee of the present application, various types of ice-making machines are disclosed for producing ice cubes or the like and comprising a plurality of generally inverted ice cube cups or molds adapted to have water sprayed therewithin by means of a water spraying device. Disposed adjacent the ice cube molds is a water holding tank or platen which is adapted to be filled with heated water during a harvest portion of the operational cycle of the machine, whereby to effect release of the ice cubes which were formed within the molds during the preceding freezing portion of the cycle. The ice cubes are adapted to drop down-wardly into a chute or storage bin to which access may be had through a suitable access opening or the like. After the ice cubes have thus been formed and released, the thawing water is transferred to a water sump wherein the water may be used as make-up water for the next freezing portion of the cycle.

The present invention is generally related to an ice making machine of the above-described character; however, the apparatus of the present invention features a number of improvements over the various types of ice making machines shown in the aforesaid patents. In particular, the ice making machine of the present invention incorporates a novel arrangement of component parts wherein the water holding tank or platen, water sump, ice forming molds and spray bar for directing water upwardly into the molds, are all arranged in a compact unitized assembly including a main housing that may be fabricated of an easily moldable or fabricated material, such as vacuum formed styrene or the like which may be strengthened and rigidified by a layer of polyurethene foam or the like adapted to be molded directly around the exterior of the enclosure. Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a plurality of water passages or ports that are provided in the upper ends of the ice-forming molds which provide for a controlled flow of a predetermined quantity of water from the water platen into the water sump during a harvest cycle. This quantity of water is designed to provide for. dilution of the make-up water in the water sump and thereby serves a cleansing function to remove foreign material which otherwise might tend to accumulate within the water sump. Still another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the ice-making machine comprises a control system wherein the water spray bar operates continuously during both the freezing and harvest portions of the operational cycle, as opposed to operating only during the freezing portion of the cycle as is the practice of prior known and used ice-making machines. By continuously operating the spray bar, even during the harvest portion of the cycle, release of the cubes from the iceforming molds is substantially hastened, whereby to reduce the harvest cycle time and hence reduce the overall operating time of the machine, with the net result that the capacity of the machine is appreciably increased relative to comparable size machines of the prior art. This reduction in cycle time is also attributed to the fact that the temperature of the refrigerator evaporator is minimized during the harvest cycle, with the result that the freezing cycle time is also reduced. Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved ice-making machine that is of a strong, durable and compact design which is both self-cleaning and will have a reduced operating cycle time, as compared to prior known ice-making apparatus.

PERTINENT PRIOR ART The following patents are considered to be pertinent in connection with the following specification and appended claims: U. S. Pat. No. 2,949,019, issued Aug. 16, 1960; U. S. Pat. No. 3,465,537, issued Sept. 9, 1969; U. S. Pat. No. 3,559,424, issued Feb. 2, 1971; and U. S. reissue Pat. No. 26,101, issued Oct. 11, 1966.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to ice-making apparatus and, more particularly, to a new and improved ice-making machine of the type adapted to spray water into a plurality of inverted ice-forming cups or molds.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine which has a reduced cycle time and thus a larger iceproducing capacity than similar size machines heretofore known and used.

It is still a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine of the above character which has a reduced cycle time as a result of minimizing the cube release time and by minimizing the temperature increase of the evaporator during the harvest cycle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine having a water system which is self cleaning so as to minimize the accumulation of foreign material, sediment and the like therein.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine which provides for a controlled flow of water from the water holding tank or platen to the water sump during each operational cycle so as to effect dilution of the water in the system.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine, as above described, which includes a novel unitized combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly.

It is yet another objet of the present invention to provide a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly which may be easily fabricated of durable, easily cleaned materials.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice-making machine having long and effective operational life, and which may be easily installed and economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice-making machine of the present invention, as shown in operative association with a typical ice storage bin into which the ice produced by the machine may be transferred for storage;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ice-making machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the ice-making machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the ice-making machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly incorporated in the ice-making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lines 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the evaporator incorporated in the assembly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the evaporator shown within the circle 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a three-way drain valve incorporated in the ice-making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of a solenoid operated valve which is operatively associated with the drain valve shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a water heating tank incorporated in the ice-making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary electric control circuit which is incorporated in the ice-making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and illustrates a slightly modified construction of the ice-making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l5-l5 of FIG. 14, and

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of the water system incorporated in the ice-making machine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4, an ice-making machine 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally as comprising an external housing or casing 12 which is of a generally parallel-piped configuration and consisting of a top 14, a bottom 16, laterally spaced end walls 18 and 20, and front and rear walls 22 and 24. The machine 10 is shown in operative association with an ice storage bin, generally designated by the numeral 26, which may be of any suitable, preferably heat insulated, construction. A suitable access door 28 may be provided in one side of the ice storage bin 26 in order to permit removal of ice stored therein. Briefly in operation of the present invention, the ice making machine 10 is adapted to produce successive batches of ice cubes, for example, in response to a control signal produced by a bin control switch B located in the storage bin 26, which cubes are transferred from the machine into a discharge chute hereinafter to be described, the chute being communicable at its lower end with the storage bin 26 from which the cubes may be removed as needed. It will be appreciated, of course, that the present invention is not in any way limited to being specifically associated with the storage bin 26, since the ice making machine 10 may readily be used independently thereof wherein the cubes produced thereby are removed directly from the machine 10. Alternatively, of course, the machine 10 may be associated with various other types of storage devices or ice cube conveying or transferring mechanisms which function to transfer the ice 36. produced thereby to some remote or adjacent facility where the cubes may be used or stored, as will be apparent to the skilled in the art.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the ice making machine 10 of the present invention comprises a conventional refrigeration system, generally designated by the numeral 30, comprising the usual compressor 32, condensor 34, and an evaporator 36, the latter of which is operatively associated with a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, generally designated by the numeral 38. The compressor 32, condensor 34 and evaporator 36 are operatively connected through conventional refrigerant conduits and are operatively associated with a refrigerant dryer 40 and an accumulator assembly, generally designated by the numeral 42. The assembly 42 is of a conventional construction and comprises an accumulator tank 44 and refrigerant conduits 46 and 48 which are communicable with the outlet of the evaporator 46 and the inlet side of the compressor 30, the assembly 42 functioning in a conventional manner in assuring that only refrigerant gas is transmitted to the compressor inlet during operation of the ice-making machine 10 of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the refrigeration system 30 functions in a manner such that gaseous refrigerant at relatively high pressure is supplied by the compressor 32 to the condensor 34, the refrigerant being cooled and liquified as it passes through the condensor 34. The thus cooled and liquified refrigerant flows from the condensor 34 to the evaporator 36 of the assembly 38 where the refrigerant is vaporized by the transfer of heat thereto from water which is being formed into ice within the assembly 38. The gaseous refrigerant then flows from the evaporator 36 back to the inlet or suction side of the compressors 32 for recycling.

Together with constituting part of the refrigeration system 30, the combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly 38 comprises part of the water system incorporated in the ice-making machine 10 of the present invention, which system is generally designated herein by the numeral 50. The system 50 is adaptd to be communicable with a suitable source of fresh potable water, representatively designated by the numeral 52, which may be transmitted through conventional pipes, conduits or the like, to an inlet water conduit 54 of the machine 10. The conduit 54 is in turn communicable with an electrically operated solenoid valve assembly 56 which may be of any conventional construction adapted to be actuated in response to an electrical signal communicated thereto by means of suitable electrical conductors hereinafter to be described. The assembly 56 comprises an inlet conduit 58 which is communicable with a valve chamber 60, the chamber 60 in turn being communicable with an outlet conduit 62 that is connected via a T-fitting 64 with a pair of outlet conduits 66 and 68. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, actuation of the assembly 56 is achieved by transmitting an electrical signal to the solenoid 69 thereof whereby to selectively permit and block fluid flow from the inlet conduit 58 to the outlet conduit 62, as will be described in connection with the overall operation of the ice-making machine of the present invention.

The water system 50 additionally comprises a threeway valve assembly best illustrated in FIG. 9 and generally designated by the numeral 70. The valve assembly 70 comprises a generally annular valve housing 72 defining an internal cavity or volume 74. The housing 72 is formed with three integral fluid passageway sections 76, 78 and 80, all of which are communicable at their inner ends with the interior of the cavity 74. The upper end of the housing 70 is formed with an opening which is adapted to be closed by a cover member 82 that may be fixedly secured to the housing 72 by means ofa plurality of screws, bolts and the like, generally designated by the numeral 84. The cover member 82 is formed with a central annular internally threaded bore 86 which is adapted to threadably receive a suitable fluid fitting or the like (not shown) which is in turn communicable via suitable fluid conduit means (not shown) with the outlet conduit 68 of the solenoid valve assembl 56.

The valve housing 72 is formed with a pair of axially spaced and aligned valve seats 88 and 90, the former of which is of a generally downwardly and inwardly tapered or'frusto-conical configuration and the latter of which is of a generally upwardly and inwardly frustoconical configuration. Extending axially within the valve housing 2 is a valve rod 92 which is adapted to carry upper and lower valve elements 94 and 96 that are respectively cooperable with the valve seats 88 and 90. The upper valve element 94 is formed with an axially extending central bore 98, the upper end 100 of which is internally threaded, as illustrated, with the lower end of the bore 98 being adapted to nestingly receive the upper end of the valve rod 92. The lower end of the rod 92 is formed .with a reduced diameter end section 102 which extends through a central annular bore 104 formed in the lower valve element 96. The lower end of the bore 104 is formed with a counter bore 106 adapted to nestingly receive the upper end of a helical coil spring 108 disposed in the lower end of the housing 72. The lower end of the end section 102 is adapted to be slidably received within a generally annular bore 110 defined within a sleeve section 112 formed on the inner end of an end cap 114 adapted to be threadably received within an internally threaded bore 116 formed at the lower end of the housing 72. The upper end of the upper valve element 94 is adapted to carry a pair of generally cupshaped members 118 and 120 which are reciprocable within the cavity 74 along with the valve rod 92 and valve elements 94, 96. The cup-shaped members 118, 120 are adapted to compressingly engage an inner marginal edge portion 122 of a flexible resilient diaphragm 124 disposed in the upper end of the cavity 74, the members 118, 120, as well as the portion 122 of the diaphragm 124 being fixedly secured to the upper end of the valve element 94 by means of a suitable screw, bolt, or the like, 126 threadably received within the threaded section 100 of the bore 98. The diaphragm 124 is formed with a generally U-shaped or reverse-bend intermediate portion 128 which is disposed between the outer marginal edge of the lower cup-shaped member and the inner periphery of the housing 72. The intermediate portion 128 of the diaphragm 124 is integrally connected to the portion 122 thereof and is also integrally connected to an outer marginal edge portion 130 which is adapted to be compressingly received between the upper end of the housing 72 and the cover 82, whereby to provide a fluid-tight seal at the juncture of these members. The valve elements 94 and 96 are provided with suitable sealing means in the form of O-rings or the like 132 and 134, respectively, which O-rings 132, 134 are adapted to sealingly engage the valve seats 88 and 90, in order to control fluid flow between the passageways 76, 78 and 80, as follows:

THe spring 108 normally functions to bias the valve rod 92 and valve elements 94, 96 upwardly within the cavity 74 to the position illustrated in FIG. 9. In this position, the valve element 96 is sealingly engaged with the valve seat 90, whereby to block fluid flow between the flow passages 76 and 80; however, the valve element 94 is spaced upwardly from the valve seat 88 in order to provide fluid flow between the fluid passages 78 and 76. At such time as water under pressure is communicated from the solenoid valve assembly 56 into the upper end of the cavity 74, such fluid will act against the cup-shaped members 118, 120 and diaphragm 124 and bias the entire assemblage consisting of the members 118, 120, valve rod 92 and valve elements 94, 96 downwardly within the cavity 72 to a position wherein the upper valve element 94 is sealingly engaged with valve seat 88 and the lower valve element 96 is spaced downwardly away from the valve seat 90. In this configuration, fluid flow is provided between the fluid passages 76, 80 and is blocked between the passages 78, 76. At such time as the fluid pressure within the upper end of the cavity 72 is relieved, i.e., through actuation of the solenoid valve assembly 56, the spring 108 will function to bias the aforementioned assembly upwardly again to the position shown in F IG. 9.

The three-way valve assembly 70 is adapted to be communicable within the water system 50 of the icemaking machine 10 of the present invention by means of a plurality of water conduits or lines 136, 138 and 140. The fluid passage 76 is adapted to be communicable via any suitable fluid fitting means or the like with the fluid conduit 136, the conduit 136 in turn being communicable with a water sump 142 which is con-- tained within the combination evaporator and iceforming assembly 36, as will be described The fluid passage 78 is adapted to be similarly communicable with the fluid conduit 138, which is in turn communicable with a fluid retaining platen 144 which is cooperable with the refrigerator evaporator 34, as will be described in detail. Finally, the fluid passage 80 is adapted to be communicable by means of the aforementioned water conduit with a suitable street drain or the like (not shown) through which excess water may be discharged, as is well known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the water system 50 additionally comprises a water heating assembly, generally designated by the numeral 146. The assembly 146 comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tank or enclosure 148 that is closed at the upper and lower ends thereof by upper and lower covers or end plates 150 and 152. Disposed within the interior of the tank 148 is a tubular conduit 154 which is arranged in a general helical or coiled configuration, with the inlet and outlet ends of the conduit 154 projecting upwardly through the upper cover member 150 and being respectively designated by the numerals 156 and 158. The inlet end 156 of the conduit 154 is adapted to be communicable through a suitable refrigerant line with the high or outlet side of the refrigerator compressor 30, while the outlet 158 of the conduit 154 is adapted to be communicable via suitable refrigerant line with the condensor 32. The tank 148 is provided with water inlet and outlet fittings 160 and 162, the former of which is located adjacent the lower end of the tank 148 and is adapted to be communicable via a suitable conduit 164 with the outlet conduit 66 of the solenoid valve assembly 56. Suitable fluid flow control means, as is well known in the art and commonly incorporated in ice making machines, may be provided in the conduit 164 for selectively controlling the flow of water from the valve assembly 56 to the water heating assembly 146. The outlet fitting 162 is mounted in the upper cover member 150 and is adapted to be communicable via a suitable water conduit 168 with the aforementioned platen 144, as will hereinafter be described in detail. The function of the water heating assembly 146 is to retain a body of water which, during the freezing cycle of the ice making machine of the present invention, serves as a secondary cooling medium for the condensor 34; more importantly, however, the body of water which is retained within the assembly 146 is heated during each freezing cycle by the refrigerant passing through the conduit 154 and is accordingly adapted to be utilized as thawing water during the next successive harvest cycle of the machine 10, this water eventually serving as the make-up water for the next following freezing cycle. A more detailed description of the operation of the assembly 146 will be found in the aforementioned United States Pat. No. 3,559,424, issued Feb. 2, 1971 and assigned to the assignee of record herein, which patent is incorporated by reference in the descriptive portion of this specification.

The water system 50 also includes a water pump 170 that is schematically illustrated in FIG. 16 and is shown as comprising a water inlet section 172, a water outlet section 174 and an electrically energized pump motor 176. The inlet section 172 is adapted to be communicable via a suitable water conduit 178 with the water sump 142, while the outlet section 174 is adapted to be communicable with the sump 142 via a suitable water conduit 180. Additionally, the sump 142 is communicable via a suitable water conduit 182 with a portion of the pump housing disposed directly below the motor 176. The purpose of this arrangement is described in detail in the aforementioned United States Pat. No. 3,559,424 which is incorporated by reference herein. Briefly, however, the pump 170 comprises a suitable impellor or the like (not shown) which is drivingly connected through a suitable drive shaft with the motor 176, whereby upon energization of the motor 176, water will be pumped from the sump 142 through the conduit 178 to the inlet side 172 of the pump 170, which water will thereafter be pumped out of the pump 170 via the outlet section 174 and conduit 178. The purpose of the conduit 182 is to communicate any water which may tend to rise along the aforementioned drive shaft during operation of the motor 176, back to the sump 142 so as to obviate the need for any packing, seals or the like around the upper end of the shaft.

Referring now in detail to the combination evaporator and ice forming assembly 36, as best seen in FIGS. 5 through 7, the assembly 36 is shown as comprising a generally circular shaped .enclosure 184 which is open at the upper end thereof and comprises a side wall section 186 which is of a generally cylindrical configuration, with the exception of a pair of diametrically opposite flat or planar portions 188 and 190 (see FIG. 7), and a generally outwardly projecting eccentric portion 192. The lower end of the enclosure 184 is closed by an integral bottom wall section 194, as best seen in FIG. 5. Preferably, the enclosure 184 is formed of a suitable synthetic plastic material such as polystyrene or the like, which may be easily cleaned and is adapted to be constructed by a well known vacuum forming or similar fabricating technique. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the side wall section 186 of the enclosure 184 is formed with a generally horizontally disposed inwardly projecting upper shoulder portion 196 which extends around the entire periphery of the enclosure 184. The side wall section 186 is also formed with a generally rectangular shaped ice discharge opening 198 which functions in a manner hereinafter to be described in communicating ice produced within the assembly 36 to the storage bin 26. The side wall section 186 of the enclosure 184 is further formed with a lower, generally horizontally disposed inwardly projecting shoulder portion 200 which is disposed vertically below the shoulder portion 196 and functions in a manner hereinafter to be described. Additionally, the enclosure 184 is formed with a lower manifold section, generally designated by the numeral 202, which includes means defining five fluid passages or conduits 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212, the passages 204212 all being communicable at their inner ends with the interior of the enclosure 184 and functioning in a manner hereinafter to be described in communicating water to and from the sump 142 which is defined within the lower end of the enclosure 184. The upper end of the side wall section 186 is formed with a peripheral outwardly extending flange or lip portion 214 that cooperates with and functions to support a generally horizontally disposed cover member 216 which normally closes the upper end of the enclosure 184, as best seen in FIG. 5.

The entire combination evaporator and ice forming assembly 38, including the enclosure 184 is adapted to be operatively supported within the housing 12 by means of a generally U-shaped support bracket or saddle, generally designated by the numeral 218. The saddle 218 comprises a generally horizontally disposed lower intermediate section 220 which is of a generally complementary configuration with respect to the bottom wall section 194 of the enclosure 184. The opposite ends of the section 220 terminate in integral, vertically upwardly extending end sections 222 which are juxtapose the flat portions 188, 190 of the enclosure 184, the end sections 222 being disposed directly interiorly of the front and rear walls 22 and 24, respectively, of the housing 12 and being secured thereto by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 224. In order to rigidify and strengthen the enclosure 184, a layer of a suitable rigid synthetic plastic foam material, herein generally designated by the numeral 226, is molded around the bottom wall section 194 and a portion of the side wall section 186 below the shoulder portion 196. The material 226 is preferably a polyurethane or similar polymeric cellular material, as is well known in the art, with'the material 226 being molded to a configuration best shown in FIG. 5, 5, whereby the lower end' of the enclosure 184, as well as the main portion of the support saddle2l8 are embedded therein.

Normally disposed within the upper end of the enclosure 184 is the aforementioned platen 144 which consists of a generally circular side wall section 184 that is of a complementary configuration with respect to to the shape of the enclosure 184, as best seen in FIG. 7. The side wall section 228 is formed with an integral bottom or lower end section 230 which is generally horizontally disposed and also of a complementary shape with respect to the enclosure 184. The bottom section 230 is formed with an annular opening or flow passage 232 which is located above the portion 192 of the enclosure 184 and aligned with an opening (not shown) therein. These two openings are communicable, via a suitable fitting, with the aforementioned conduit 138, thus communicating the platen 144 with the valve assembly 70. As illustrated, the entire platen 144 is adapted to be nestingly received within the upper end of the enclosure 184 and normally be supported upon the shoulder portion 196, with the cover 216 being received in the position shown in FIG. 5, whereby to close or cover the upper end of the platen 144.

Disposed interiorly of the platen 144 is the refrigerator evaporator 36 which, as shown in FIG. 7, consists of a length of refrigerant conduit or tubing 234 that is arranged in a generally serpentine configuration including a plurality of generally spaced parallel conduit sections whiich are interconnected at their opposite ends so as to provide a continuous refrigerant flow path, the inlet end of which is communicable with an inlet conduit 236 and the outlet end of which is com m'unicable with an outlet conduit 238. The entire evaporator tubing assembly 234 is adapted to be operatively supported within the platen 144 by means of a pair of spaced apart support brackets, generally designated by the numeral 240, whereby to immovably retain the evaporator 36 in the position shown in FIG. 7. Disposed between the underside of the evaporator tubing 234 and the bottom section 230 of the platen 144 is a plurality of inverted ice forming cups, generally designated 242. The cups 242 are arranged in spaced parallel rows which are generally vertically aligned with the parallel sections of the conduit 234, whereby a portion of the evaporator 36 passes directly above each of the cups 242. The cups 242 are of a generally frustoconical configuration, i.e., are of a generally circular shape and decrease in cross sectional size toward the upper ends thereof, whereby ice which is formed therein may be released therefrom and may drop downwardly away from the underside of the platen 144 during the harvest portion of the operational cycle of the ice making machine 10 of the present invention. Toward this end, each of the cups 242 comprises a downwardly and outwardly tapered side wall portion 246 which terminates at the upper end thereof in a gen- 7 erally horizontally disposed top or upper end portion 248. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper end portion 248 of each of the cups 242 is formed with a pair of small openings 250 and 252 which are arranged on the opposite sides of the adjacent portion of the evaporator conduit 234, the openings 250, 252 functioning in a manner hereinafter to be described in selectively communicating water which is transmitted into the platen 144 during the harvest portion of the operational cycle downwardly toward the sump 142. Heated water is adapted to be communicated into the platen 144 by means of a suitable inlet conduit 254 which is communicable with the outlet conduit 168 of the water heating assembly 146, as will be described in detail in connection with the overall operation of the ice making machine 10 of the present invention.

Disposed within the enclosure 184 between the bottom section 194 thereof and the underside of the platen 144 is an inner bottom member generally designated by the numeral 256. The member 256 is of a generally complementary configuration with respect to the interior of the enclosure 184 and comprises a main outwardly and slightly downwardly tapered or inclined body section 258 which terminates at the marginally outer edge thereof in an integral downwardly directly peripheral flange portion 260. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner bottom member 256 is supported within the enclosure 186 by having the peripheral flange 260 thereof rest or bear upon the lower shoulder portion 200, with the result that member 256 is operatively disposed approximately midway between the underside of the platen 144 and the bottom section 194 of the enclosure 184. As best seen in FIG. 5, the peripheral flange 260 is adapted to operatively support the outwardly and downwardly inclined section 258 at a position wherein ice cubes which drop downwardly thereonto out of the cups 242 may move outwardly and downwardly through the discharge opening 198. The peripheral flange 260 of the member 256 is formed with one or more recesses or notched portions 262 which define flow passages through which water may flow from a position above the inner bottom member 256 to the sump 142 which is located directly therebelow. The center of the inner bottom 256 is formed with a downwardly depressed section 264 which is formed with a central opening 266.

In order to effectively communicate the cubes which are dishcarged through the opening 198 into the storage bin 26, the assembly 38 is preferably provided with an ice discharge chute, generally designated by the numeral 268. The chute 268 comprises four side walls, generally designated 270, the one of which is adjacent the assembly 38 being formed with a suitable opening which is aligned with the discharge opening 198 so that ice cubes may be passed through the openings 198, 272 into the interior of the chute 268. The lower end of the chute 268 is open so that the cubes which are transmitted thereinto will drop downwardly and through a suitable opening (not shown) in the bottom 16 of the housing 12 and the upper end of the storage bin 26. Suitable gasket means 274 is preferably provided interjacent the confronting portions of the chute 268 and the side wall section 186 of the enclosure 184, and the upper end of the chute 268 may be provided with a suitable removeable cover or the like 276, the cover 276 being secured to the upper end of the chute 268 by any suitable means so as to provide for selective removal thereof for purposes hereinafter to be described.

The ice making mechanism, herein generally designated by the numeral 278, incorporated in the machine 10 of the present invention is similar in construction and operation to that shown in the aforementioned Roberts Pat. No. 2,949,019. More particularly, the mechanism 278 comprises a water spray bar 280 that is rotatably mounted between the upper side of the inner bottom member 256 and the underside of the platen 144. As best seen in FIG. 5, the spray bar 280 is provided with a plurality of upwardly directed water discharge nozzles, generally designated 282, which are adapted to spray water upwardly into the inverted iceforming cups 242. In addition, the spray bar 280 is provided with a longitudinally outwardly extending resilient ice deflecting finger or arm 284 on each end thereof, which fingers 284 are adapted to function in biasing ice cubes which drop downwardly from the cups 242 onto the bottom member 256 toward the discharge opening 198 and discharge chute 268. The resilient character of the fingers 284 is to assure that the spray bar 280 does not become jammed or otherwise non-rotatably disposed within the enclosure 184 in the event an ice cube becomes lodged between the outer ends thereof and in the inner periphery of the enclosure wall section 186.

The spray bar 280 is adapted to be rotated within the enclosure 184 by means of a suitable electrically energized motor 286 which is mounted above the cover member 216 of the assembly 38. The motor 286 is adapted to be operatively supported upon a suitable support plate 288 which is secured by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like (not shown) to the upper side of the cover member 216. The support plate 288 is formed with a central opening 290 which is aligned with an opening 292 in the cover member 216, with the openings 290, 292 enabling a generally vertically disposed drive shaft 294 of the motor 286 to extend downwardly into and through the platen 144. The upper end of the drive shaft 294 may be provided with a conventional cooling fan blade or the like 296, while the lower end thereof extends downwardly through a hollow annular sleeve 298 which is arranged at the center of the platen 144. The sleeve 298 is formed with a central vertical opening or passage 300 through which the drive shaft 294 extends, with the lower end of the shaft 294 being provided with a generally bifurcated yoke 302 consisting of a pair of spaced-apart, generally vertically oriented fingers 304 and 306 which are adapted to drivingly engage the opposite sides of the spray bar 280, as best illustrated in FIG. 5.

The spray bar 280 is rotatably supported within the assembly 38 by means of a generally inverted cupshaped support member 308 which is located at the center of the spray bar 280 and is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed openings 310 and 312 which communicate with the opposite ends of the spray bar 280. The support member 308 is adapted to be nestingly received on the upper end of a fluid fitting 314 which is formed with a generally vertically extending central passageway 316 that communicates at its upper end with a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced outlet ports 318. A suitable o-ring sealing means or the like 320 is provided adjacent the upper end of the fitting 314 and is adapted to sealingly engage the interior of the cup-shaped support member 308 to prevent undesirable water leakage therebetween. As illustrated, the outlet ports 318 are generally vertically aligned with the openings 310 and 312 in the support member 308, whereby to provide for water communication between the central passage 316 and the opposite ends of the spray bar 280 and hence with the plurality of discharge nozzles 282 provided thereon. The lower end of the fluid fitting 314 is threadably engaged, as seen at 322, within an internally threaded bore 324 of another fluid fitting 326, the lower end of which extends downwardly through the central opening 266 formed in the inner bottom member 256. The lower end of the fitting 326 extends downwardly within a generally vertically disposed tubular member 328 which is vertically aligned with the opening 266 and the lower end of which is supported on a generally horizontally disposed spray bar support plate 330 and a suitable resilient gasket member 332 which are disposed above the bottom wall section 194 of the enclosure 184. A suitable end plug 334 is threadably received within the lower end of the tubular member 328 to close the same. An intermediate portion of the tubular member 228 is communicable with a generally outwardly directed water conduit 336 which functions to communicate water to the spray bar 280. The opposite or outer end of the conduit 336 is connected to the fluid passage 208 of the manifold section 202 which in turn communicates with the outlet section 174 of the water pump 170 via the conduit 180. The fluid passage 210 of the manifold 202 is communicable at its inner end with the sump 142 and at its outer end with the conduit 178 which is connected to the inlet section 172 of the water pump 170. The water system 50 is completed by means of the connection of the conduit 136 from the threeway valve assembly to the fluid passage 204 of the manifold 202, and the connection of the passage 206 of the manifold 202 to the conduit 182 of the water pump 170. Finally, the fluid passage 212 is connected to a flexible fluid conduit 338 which is closed at its outer (upper) end by being engaged with a fixed closure plug 340 secured to a bracket 342 located within the ice making machine housing 12. The passage 212 will be seen as being located at the extreme lower end of the manifold 202 and hence it is communicable with the extreme lower most portion of the sump 142 so that the conduit 338 may, upon being disconnected from the closure plug 340, be directed to a suitable drain to effect a complete draining of the water system of the ice making machine 10, as is well known in the art.

Before a detailed description of the overall operation of the ice-making machine 10 of the present invention is given, reference is made to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 wherein a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, the ice making machine illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15 is identical in construction and operation to the aforedescribed machine 10, with the exception that instead of one of the combination evaporator and ice forming assemblies 38 and an associated water pump 170, the machine consists of a pair of tandemly oriented and simultaneously operable assemblies, herein designated by the numerals 38 and 38", each of which is provided with its own water pump and 170", respectively. With this arrangement, the ice-making machine shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 will have the same operational cycle as the machine 10, but during each cycle thereof, a greater quantity of ice cubes will be produced since two individual ice-forming assemblies 38 will operate simultaneously and discharge the cubes into a common chute, representatively designated by the numeral 268, which in turn may be communicable with an associated ice storage bin, such as the bin 26. Each of the assemblies 38 and 38" is intended to operate in an identical manner to the aforedescribed assembly 38 and each has its own evaporator 36' and 36" located in its respective platen 144 and 144. Additionally, each of the assemblies 38 and 38" comprises its own spray bar 280' and 280", but instead of each of the assemblies 38', 38" having an individual motor for rotating the associated spray bar, a single motor 286' is lo cated on the cover member 216' of the upper assembly 38' and functions to rotate both of the spray bars 280 and 280" in unison. Toward this end, reference is made to FIG. 15 wherein it will be seen that the spray bar of the lower ice-forming assembly 38" is operatively supported in a manner substantially identical to that illustrated in FIG. 6 in connection with the ice making machine 10, with the spray bar being operatively supported by means of an inverted cup-shaped support member 308" mounted upon a fluid fitting 314" and an associated fitting 326" communicable with a tubular member 328" to which water is supplied from the associated water pump 170"; however, instead of the spray bar 280" being rotated directly from the associated drive motor 286', the spray bar 280" is adapted to be rotated by means of a generally vertically disposed tubular member 352, the lower end of which is provided with a suitable bifurcated yoke 354 which may be similar in construction to the aforedescribed yoke 302. The tubular member 352 extends upwardly and is rotatably carried within a lower bushing 356 provided on the lower end of the enclosure 184 of the upper ice forming assembly 38'. The bushing 356 is provided with a suitable fluid seal 358 which prevents any fluid leakage between the inner periphery of the bushing 356 and the outer periphery of the member 352. The upper end of the member 352 extends upwardly within a tubular member 360 which is analogous in construction and operation to the tubular member 328 of the ice making machine 10, with the upper end of the tubular member 360 being provided with an upper bushing assembly 362 having a suitable fluid seal 364 that functions to rotatably carry the extreme upper end of the member 352. Mounted upon the upper end of the member 352 is a fluid fitting 366 which is analogous in construction and operation to the fluid fitting 314 hereinabove described, with the fitting 366 being provided with a plurality of outlet ports 368 and a central vertical fluid passage 370 which function to com municate water to a cup-shaped support member 308' associated with the upper spray bar 280'. It will be seen that the portion of the member 352 located within the tubular member 360 is formed with a plurality of flow ports 372 which are communicable via the interior of the tubular member 360 with a water inlet conduit 374 which communicates with the associated water pump 170'. in a similar manner, the tubular member 328" associated with the lower spray bar 280" is communicable with a suitable water conduit 376 which transmits water from the associated water pump 170 to the lowerspray bar 280". The entire assemblage including the tubular member 352 and upper and lower spray bars 280' and 280 is adapted to be rotated by means of a drive shaft 378 and yoke 380, the former of which is driven by the drive motor 286' located on the cover member 216, as above described, the yoke 380 being engageable with the upper spray bar 280 in order to effect rotation thereof upon rotation of the shaft 278.

It will be noted that the support member 308' is fixedly secured to the fluid fitting 366 instead of being relatively rotatable thereon, whereupon rotation of the upper spray bar 280, the entire member 352 will rotate, thus effecting rotation of the yoke 354 and rotation of the lower spray bar 280 so that during operation of the motor 286, both of the spray bars 280 and 280" will be simultaneously rotated. By virtue of the fact that the following detailed description of the operation of the ice-making machine 10 of the present invention will be applicable to the operation of the ice making machine shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 incorporating multiple ice-forming assemblies 38, a detailed description of said modified version of the present invention will be omitted herein for purposes of conciseness and brevity of description.

In operation of the ice-making machine 10 of the present invention, assuming the initial conditions that the plurality of ice molds or cups 242 are empty; that the sump 142 contains a quantity of make-up water to be used in forming ice cubes within the cups 242; that the tank 148 of the water heating assembly 146 contains a quantity of water to be heated in preparation for the next harvest portion of the operational cycle; that the valve elements 94 and 96 of the three-way valve assembly are in the respective positions shown in FIG. 9, whereby to block fluid flow between the passages 76 and 80 and permit fluid flow between the passages 78 and 76, thus blocking fluid flow between the sump 142 and drain associated with the machine 10 and permitting fluid flow between the platen 144 and the sump 142; further assuming that the solenoid valve assembly 56 is connected to the water source 52 and that the electric motor 286 is energized effecting rotation of the spray bar 280 and that the water pump is operable to pump water from the sump 142 to the plurality of nozzles 282 on the spray bar 280, and finally assuming that the bin control switch B in the ice storage bin 26 is actuated, which will result in at least one, and possibly more complete freezing and harvest cycles depending on the ice level in the bin 26, the freezing cycle of the ice making machine 10 is initiated by energization of the refrigerator compressor 32, Le, through an electrical control circuit hereinafter to be described. As the compressor 32 is started, refrigerant will be forced to the refrigerator condensor 34, and thereafter to the evaporator 36. The refrigerant will then flow through and be vaporized within the evaporator 36 and then be returned to the compressor 32. Simultaneously, the spray bar 280 will rotate below the plurality of ice cups 242 and the water pump 170 will force water upwardly through the plurality of nozzles 282, with the result that this water will be directed into the open undersides of the cups 242.

As a result of the water being sprayed into the cups 242 and normal operation of the refrigeration system 30, ice cubes will begin to form within the cups 242, with any excess water from the nozzles 282 dropping downwardly and falling upon the upper side of the inner bottom member 356 and thereafter flowing through the plurality of notch portions 262 into the sump 142. During this time, water within the tank 148 of the water heating assembly 146 will be heated by the refrigerant passing through the coiled conduit 154 preparatory to the next successive harvest portion of the operational cycle.

After the freezing portion of the cycle has progressed a predetermined length of time, which is controlled by the temperature and pressure conditions of the evapo' rator 36, as is well known in the art, the freezing portion of the operational cycle will end and the harvest portion of the cycle will be initiated. At the initiation of the harvest portion of the cycle, the solenoid valve assembly 56 will be actuated which results in water from the water source 52 being communicated to the upper end of the valve housing 72. This results in downward movement of the upper and lower valve elements 94 and 96, with the valve element 94 moving into engagement with the valve seat 88 to block water flow between the fluid passages 78 and 76 and hence between the platen 144 and sump 142. Simultaneously, the valve element 96 will be disengaged from the valve seat 90 to permit fluid flow between the flow passages 76 and 78, i.e., between the sump 142 and drain conduit 140. Concomitantly, water will be communicated from the solenoid valve assembly 56 to the water heating assembly 146, with this water forcing the water which had been heated during the freezing portion of the cycle through the conduit 168 into the platen 144. As the warm water enters the platen 144, it will flow around the upper sides of the cups 242, thereby thawing the outer surfaces of the cubes formed therewithin and effecting release of the cubes from the cups 242, whereby the cubes will drop downwardly upon the inner bottom member 256 and will be biased, due to rotational movement of the spary bar 280, through the discharge opening 266 and down the chute 268 into the storage bin 26.

In accordance with one important feature of the present invention, it will be noted that the spray bar 280 continues to rotate and the water pump 170 will continue to pump water from the sump 142 to the plurality of nozzles 282 during the harvest portion of the operational cycle, in addition to operating during the freezing portion of the cycle. Such operation of the spray bar 280 in directing water upwardly toward the ice which is formed in the cups 242 functions to hasten the release of the ice from the cups 242, as compared to prior art devices wherein the ice was released merely by the warming action of the water within the associated platen. An added advantage of hastening the release of the cubes due to the water being sprayed upon the undersides thereof resides in the fact that the evaporator coil or conduit 234 within the platen 144 remains at a lower temperature during the harvest portion of the cycle so that during the next successive freezing portion of the cycle, temperature of the conduit 234 (evaporator 36) need not be reduced as great an amount before the new cubes will begin to freeze in the cup 242; thus, ice cubes will be formed at a faster rate during the next successive freezing cycle. This combined effect of the faster release of the ice cubes during the harvest portion of thecycle and a more rapid freezing of the ice during the freezing cycle will be found to appreciably reduce the overall cycle time of the machine 10 and hence increase the ice producing capacity thereof as compared to similar size machines heretofore known and used.

During the harvest portion of the cycle, water will be retained within the platen 144 by virtue of the actuated position of the three-way valve assembly 70. At completion of the harvest portion of the cycle and initiation of the next successive freezing portion of the cycle, the valve assembly 70 will again be actuated to the position shown in FIG. 9 by virtue of the action of the spring 108 and solenoid assembly 56. When this occurs, the water which was retained within the platen 144 will be communicated via the three-way valve assembly 70 to the sump 142, as is shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 16, where this water will constitute the make-up water for the ice cubes which are to be'formed during the following freezing cycle.

In accordance with the present invention, the quantity of warm water within the platen 144 during the harvest portion of the cycle is of sufficient volume to cover the upper ends or top sections 248 of the ice cups 242, with the result that certain amount of the water within the platen 144 will drain downwardly through the plurality of small openings 250, 252 formed therein. This water will flow downwardly onto the inner bottom member 256 and eventually through the plurality of notches 262 therein into the sump 142 at a rate which is controlled by the size of the openings 252. This additional water which is added to the sump 142 during each operational cycle of the ice making machine 10 is adapted to function in a diluting capacity so that there is a slightly greater amount of water supplied to the sump during each cycle than is required for make-up water during the next freezing portion of the cycle, this additional water acting to cleanse the water system 50 to minimize the amount of sediment, water impurities or other foreign material which would otherwise tend to accumulate within the various component parts thereof.

In the event an abnormally large amount of water is delivered to the platen 144 during a harvest portion of the cycle, the level of water within the platen 144 may arise sufficiently high to flow through the opening 300 of the sleeve 298 and downwardly around the shaft 294, whereby such water will flow onto the inner bottom member 256 and eventually into the sump 142, as above described.

It may be noted that the ice making machine 10 of the present invention particularly, although not necessarily, lends itself to installations wherein two or more separate machines are stacked, one above another, on top of the ice storage bin 26. Such an arrangement has been found desirable in installations where it is desired to increase or decrease the ice cube producing capacity without disrupting the existing ice cube producing equipment. Thus, one or more machines may be added or removed from an already existing installation, with a common ice storage bin, such as the bin 26, serving to store the ice for all of the stacked machines. Toward this end, it will be noted that when two or more machines are stacked on top of one another, the top and- /or bottom walls 14 and 16 (or portions thereof) of the housing 12 may be removed so that the ice cubes produced by the upper machines will drop downwardly through the housings of the machines located therebelow, with such ice eventually dropping into the associated storage bin. In sucn an installation, the ice discharge chutes 268. of each of the stacked machines will be arranged in vertically aligned relationship with one another, with all but the uppermost chute 268 having the associated cover 276 removed so that the ice produced by the uppermost machines may drop downwardly through the aligned chutes of the lower machines. Such an arrangement is depicted in FIG. 5 wherein the ice discharge chute 268 associated with the assembly 38 is shown in operative association with a phantom chute 268" of an upper ice making machine, the chutes 268, 268" being vertically aligned to permit the ice produced by the upper machine to drop downwardly through the chutes 268", 268, as above described.

In accordance with a preferred practice of the present invention, at the end of the freezing portion of each operational cycle, the water level within the sump 142 is a predetermined distance (approximately onequarter of an inch) above fluid passage 204 of the manifold 202 which communicates with the three-way valve assembly 70 and eventually to the drain for the machine 10. This additional water is to compensate for any abnormally long freezing cycles which the machine may be subjected to. At the initiation of the harvest portion of the cycle, the water level within the sump 142-will fall to the level of the fluid passage 204 by virtue of the fact that the fluid passage 76 of the three-way valve assembly 70 is communicable with the drain passageway 80, and because during the harvest portion of the cycle, more water is delivered to the platen 144 than is required for the make-up water for the next batch of ice cubes to be formed. A certain amount of this water drains downwardly through the plurality of small openings 250,252 in the cups 242 which causes the aforementioned dilution effect on the water system 50, and at the end of the harvest portion of the cycle, the remainder of the platen water returns to the sump 142, as above described, and raises the water level far enough above the then closed drain opening, i.e., passage 204, to provide a sufficient amount of water for the next batch of cubes and still leave the water level approximately the same predetermined distance above the passage 204.

lt is, of course, well known that, as the accumulation of ice in the respective cups 242 reaches a predeter mined volume, the difference in the back-pressure on the suction side of the refrigeration system varies only slightly with increased work. Thus, to produce a highly accurate control mechanism for all ambient temperatures, a back-pressure switch E is set to close during a time in the freezing portion of the cycle when slight changes in cube size will produce relatively large variations in the reflected back-pressure to permit a precisely controlled starting point for the timing mechanism to be obtained. The back-pressure switch E is adapted to close a circuit and is responsive to a drop in the pressure in the refrigeration return or suction side of the refrigeration system 30. The switch E is associatedwith a time controlled mechanism responsive to the closing of the circuit by the back-pressure switch E. Preferably, the back-pressure switch E is provided with a pressure sensing element, such as a bellows or the like, connected to the return line of the compressor 32, and which functions to close the switch E in response to a drop in the fluid pressure in said line below a predetermined limit. Thus, when a predetermined amount of work has been done by the refrigeration system to produce a predetermind amount of ice in the cups 242, the back-pressure switch E will be closed. This switch E is connected in series with a circuit to a timer motor TM which is designed to start as soon as the switch E is closed, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the electrical control system for the above described machine comprises a motor driven timer of the type shown and described in.

detail in the aforesaid Roberts US. Pat. No. 2,949,019, which, in conjunction with the previously mentioned evaporator temperature control, determines the lengths of the freezing and harvest intervals. More particularly, timer motor TM drives a notched cam C which, throughout the freezing cycle, holds switch blade b in engagement with normally closed timer contact [1. At the end of the freezing cycle a cam follower carried by blade b drops into the notch in cam C and enables the biased blade b to spring out of engagement with contact t1 and into contact with normally open contact t2. As described in more detail below, closure of contact t2 energizes the solenoid 69 of the valve assembly 56 which thereupon initiates the harvest portion of the operating cycle. At the end of the harvest period, the cam follower rides out of the notch onto the periphery of cam C, reopening contact t2 and reclosing contact t1, and thereby terminates the harvest period.

As previously mentioned, at least one complete freezing and harvest cycle is initiated whenever the level of cubes in the associated bin falls below a selected level and thereby causes closure of a bin control switch B. This is desirable since a given bin may be served by more than one ice making machine 10 and switch B might thus reopen during such a cycle, as a result, for example, of delivery thereto of cubes from a releated machine 10. This feature is provided by a relay R having an energizing solenoid S and three switch blades s1, s2 and S3. in the deenergized condition of the relay R the switch blades s1, s2 and s3 occupy the illustrated positions in which blades s2 and s3 respectively engage contacts R2c and R3c. When relay R is energized, switch blades s1, s2 and s3 move to their dotted line positions in which blades s1 and s2 respectively engage contact R10 and R20.

It is believed that the remaining details of the control system can best be understood from the description of the operation thereof. The parts are shown in FIG. 12 in the de-energized condition, but with the bin control switch B in the closed position, calling for ice, and on the assumption that the sump 142 is filled to normal level and water enclosure 148 is filled. Under these conditions, the system is ready to be placed in operation by closure of the compressor and master toggle switches CS and MS, respectively.

Closure of switches CS and MS complete energizing circuits for the solenoid MC of a magnetic contactor which supplies power to the compressor motor, and for the solenoid S of the previously mentioned relay R. The circuit for the solenoid MC extends from the supply line Ll through now closed master toggle switch MS, the blade b and contact II of the timer, the now closed bin control switch B and thence through conductor 400, the now closed compressor toggle switch CS, solenoid MC and conductor 402 to neutral terminal 404 which is connected to the other line conductor L2 through conductor 406. The circuit for the coil S of relay R extends as previously traced through the bin control switch B, through terminal 408 and conductor 410 to solenoid S, and thence through conductor 411 and neutral terminal 404 to the other line conductor L2.

Upon completion of these circuits the magnetic conductor closes its contacts MCa and MCb which thereupon complete starting and running circuits through conductors 401 and 403 for the compressor motor. These starting and running circuits for the compressor motor, as well as the motor itself, may be entirely conventional and hence are not described in detail. Starting of the compressor initiates the freezing portion of the cycle. Energization of relay R causes switch blades s1, s2, and s3 to swing to the dotted line positions, the action of blade s3 being without effect at this time. En-

gagement of blade s1 with contact Rlo completes, through conductors 412 and 414, a self-holding circuit for coil S, which is in parallel with the bin control switch B. Upon completion of this circuit, the bin control switch may open without affecting in any way the operating cycle now in progress.

Engagement of blade s1 with contact R and engagement of blade s2 with contact R completes circuits for the water pump motor 176 and electric motor 286, representatively designated SM and AM in FIG. 12, which circuits extend from the line conductor Ll through the master toggle switch MS, timer blade b and contact t1, blade s1 and contact R10, blade s2 and contact R20, conductor 416 and thence in parallel through conductors 418 and 420 and motors SM and AM to the previously mentioned neutral terminal 404 which is connected to line conductor L2. Upon being started, the motor 286 places the spray bar 280 in motion and motor 176 initiates a delivery of water from the sump 142 through the spray bar 280.

As previously described, when the formation of the cubes has progressed to a particular degree, sensed by temperature and pressure conditions in the evaporator, the evaporator temperature control E closes and initiates the operation of the timer motor TM. The circuit for motor TM extends from line conductor Ll through the master toggle switch MS, the still closed timer blade and timer contact t1, in series through relay blades s1 and s2 and the related engaged contacts, and thence through conductors 416 and 422, control E and timer motor TM to the neutral terminal 404, which is connected to the other line conductors L2. Starting of motor TM produces no immediate circuit changes and consequently the freezing cycle continues for a predetermined interval, at the expiration of which the cam follower drops into the notch in cam C, causing timer blade b to separate from timer contact t1 and engage timer contact t2. These actions terminate the freezing portion of the cycle and initiate the harvest portion thereof.

More particularly, the separation of blade b from timer contact tl interrupts the previously described energizing circuits for contactor MC and relay R which thereupon resume the illustrated de-energized positions, stopping the compressor and interrupting the previously described running circuits for the water pump motor SM, spray bar motor AM and timer motor TM. These circuits are however immediately reestablished. The re-established circuits for motors SM and AM extend from line conductor Ll through toggle switch MS, thence through timer contact t2, blade b, relay blades s2 and s3 and the engaged contacts R2c and R3c, and thence through conductor 416 and motors SM and AM to the neutral terminal 404. The new circuit for timer motor TM extends as just traced through blade s3 and contact R30, and thence through motor TM'to the neutral terminal 404. Thus, as previously described, water continues to be sprayed upon the undersides of the already formed cubes to hasten the release thereof from the freezing cups. Engagement of timer blade b with contact t2 also completes the circuit for the solenoid S of the water valve, which extends as above traced through timer contact R3c, blade s3, and thence through solenoid S to neutral terminal 404.

As previously described the energization of the valve assembly 56 connects the inlets of the enclosure 148 and the three-way valve 70 to the external water supply 52. As previously described, the former action causes the previously warmed water in the enclosure 148 to be delivered at a controlled rate to the platen 144, thereby initiating the defrosting and release of the cubes.

As also previously described, the flow of warm water to the platen 144 is in sufficient volume to cover the tops of the cups 242 and a portion of this water consequently drains through the small holes 250, 252 in the bases of the cups 242 and thus goes directly into the sump and causes the previously described cleansing overflow of water from the sump.

During the harvest period, the timer motor TM continues to drive the cam C and ultimately causes the cam follower to ride out of the cam notch, thereby restoring blade b to its illustrated position, opening timer contact t2 and reclosing timer contact t1. The reopening of time contact t2 interrupts the previously traced energizing circuits for the water pump motor SM, spray bar motor AM, solenoid 69 of the valve assembly 70 and the timing motor TM, thereby restoring all circuits to the original condition. If, at this time, the bin control switch B is closed, an additional complete freeze and harvest cycle will be produced in the previously described manner. If bin switch B is open, the machine will remain idle until switch B is closed indicating that additional cubes are needed in the bin.

Preferably, the condenser 34 is provided with a fan driven by a motor FM under control of a high pressure switch responsive to pressure conditions at the high side of the compressor 32. This switch remains open as long as pressure and, consequently, temperature conditions, at the high side of the compressor 32 are at or above a predetermined level and so causes the condenser fan to remain in operation. if, however, temperature and pressure conditions at the high side of the compressor 32 fall below a desired value, the aforesaid switch opens and shuts off the condenser fan.

As will be understood, if compressor toggle switch CS is opened, closure of master toggle MS produces the above described sequence, for example, for certain testing purposes, without causing operation of the compressor.

As will also be understood, the sump 142 and enclosure 148 may be initially charged by simply pouring water into the sump 142 and by manually energizing for a short time the solenoid 69 of the valve assembly 56.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a new and improved ice making machine which incorporates a number of highly desirable features not shown in similar machines of the prior art. In particular, the ice making machine 10 of the present invention incorporates a novel combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, as above described that is in the form ofa compact unitized assembly which may be manufactured of materials which are not only easily fabricated but which are also easily cleaned, thus permitting the machine 10 to be manufactured at a minimum cost and optimizing the sanitation conditions under which it may operate. Another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that water is continuously sprayed toward the ice-forming cups or molds during both the freezing portion of the cycle and the harvest portion thereof, thus materially reducing the cycle time for each portion of the overall operational cycle so that the ice making machine 10 will have an appreciably larger ice producing capacity than similar size machines heretofore known and used. Still an additional feature of the present invention resides in the fact that during each cycle thereof, a small controlled amount of water is added to the water system to achieve a predetermined dilution and hence cleansing of the water system so as to minimize the build up or accumulation of foreign material therein.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments illustrated herein are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is subject to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the invention.

We claim:

1. In combination in an ice making machine,

an ice forming mold comprising a plurality of inverted ice forms adapted to receive water to be frozen therein,

a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said forms for spraying water upwardly thereinto,

a refrigeration system,

a control system for operating said refrigeration system so as to cause water to freeze in said forms during a freezing cycle and to effect release of ice frozen in said forms during a harvest cycle, and

means for supplying water from a source thereof to said spray bar and for causing water to be sprayed therefrom during both said freezing and said harvest cycles.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes means defining a water sump, and pump means for selectively pumping water from said sump to said rotatable spray bar.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, said assembly including an enclosure defining a water sump, a platen for containing thawing water disposed adjacent the upper end of said enclosure, means providing a plurality of ice-forming cups below said platen, and a rotatable spray bar disposed between the underside of said cups and said sump during a freezing cycle.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 which includes a refrigerator evaporator in said platen adjacent the upper ends of said cups, and pump means for pumping water from said sump to said spray bar.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 which includes partition means interjacent said spray bar and said sump, and wherein said spray bar is operable to cause ice released from said enclosure to move away from said partition means.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, said assembly comprising an enclosure including a bottom section and a side wall section, a waterholding platen nestingly received within the upper end of said enclosure, a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen, a plurality of inverted ice-forming molds disposed in heat transfer relation to said evaporator, a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said molds and adapted to spray water upwardly toward said molds, partition means disposed below said spray bar and defining a water sump with said bottom section of said enclosure, said partition means adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle dropped downwardly thereon during a harvest cycle, and means including said spray bar for removing said ice from said enclosure.

7. A unitized combination evaporator and ice forming subassembly for an ice making machine,

said subassembly comprising an enclosure including a generally horizontal bottom section and an upwardly projecting side wall section extending around the periphery of said bottom section,

a discharge opening formed in said side wall section,

a water holding platen nestingly received within the upper end of said enclosure,

said platen including a bottom section arranged generally parallel to said bottom section of said enclosure and a side wall section of a complementary shape with respect to said enclosure side wall section and adapted to be generally contiguously engaged with the inner periphery thereof,

means for supporting said platen within said enclosure including a first inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section,

a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen,

a plurality of inverted ice forming molds disposed adjacent said bottom section of said platen and arranged in heat transfer relation to said evaporator,

a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said molds and adapted to spray water upwardly toward said molds,

an inner bottom member of the same general shape as said enclosure disposed between said spray bar and said bottom section of said enclosure and defining a water sump therewith,

means supporting said bottom member within said enclosure including a second inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section,

said inner bottom member adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle drop downwardly thereupon during a harvest cycle,

projecting upwardly through said first mentioned bottom section and said bottom member for rotatably supporting said spray bar and for supplying water thereto, and

including said spray bar for moving ice formed in said molds toward said opening during a harvest cycle.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enclosure is fabricated of a molded synthetic polymeric plastic material.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said enclosure is vacuum formed.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes rigidifying means for said enclosure including a layer of a foam plastic material at least partially surrounding said enclosure.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first shoulder is disposed above said opening and said second shoulder is disposed below said opening.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 7 which includes vertically extending support means rotatably supporting said spray bar in said enclosure.

1 3. The invention as set forth in claim 12 which includes an electrically energized motor adjacent the upper end of said enclosure for effecting rotation of said spray bar.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 which includes drive means extending downwardly through said platen drivingly connecting said motor with said spray bar. 

1. In combination in an ice making machine, an ice forming mold comprising a plurality of inverted ice forms adapted to receive water to be frozen therein, a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said forms for spraying water upwardly thereinto, a refrigeration system, a control system for operating said refrigeration system so as to cause water to freeze in said forms during a freezing cycle and to effect release of ice frozen in said forms during a harvest cycle, and means for supplying water from a source thereof to said spray bar and for causing water to be sprayed therefrom during both said freezing and said harvest cycles.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes means defining a water sump, and pump means for selectively pumping water from said sump to said rotatable spray bar.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, said assembly including an enclosure defining a water sump, a platen for containing thawing water disposed adjacent the upper end of said enclosure, means providing a plurality of ice-forming cups below said platen, and a rotatable spray bar disposed between the underside of said cups and said sump during a freezing cycle.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 which includes a refrigerator evaporator in said platen adjacent the upper ends of said cups, and pump means for pumping water from said sump to said spray bar.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 which includes partition means interjacent said spray bar and said sump, and wherein said spray bar is operable to cause ice released from said enclosure to move away from said partition means.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly, said assembly comprising an enclosure including a bottom section and a side wall section, a water-holding platen nestingly received within the upper end of said enclosure, a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen, a plurality of inverted ice-forming molds disposed in heat transfer relation to said evaporator, a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said molds and adapted to spray water upwardly toward said molds, partition means disposed below said spray bar and defining a water sump with said bottom section of said enclosure, said partition means adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle dropped downwardly thereon during a harvest cycle, and means including said spray bar for removing said ice from said enclosure.
 7. A unitized combination evaporator and ice forming subassembly for an ice making machine, said subassembly comprising an enclosure including a generally horizontal bottom section and an upwardly projecting side wall section extending around the periphery of said bottom section, a discharge opening formed in said side wall section, a water holding platen nestingly received within the upper end of said enclosure, said platen including a bottom section arranged generally parallel to said bottom section of said enclosure and a side wall section of a complementary shape with respect to said enclosure side wall section and adapted to be generally contiguously engaged with the inner periphery thereof, means for supporting said platen within said enclosure including a first inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section, a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen, a plurality of inverted ice forming molds disposed adjacent said bottom section Of said platen and arranged in heat transfer relation to said evaporator, a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said molds and adapted to spray water upwardly toward said molds, an inner bottom member of the same general shape as said enclosure disposed between said spray bar and said bottom section of said enclosure and defining a water sump therewith, means supporting said bottom member within said enclosure including a second inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section, said inner bottom member adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle drop downwardly thereupon during a harvest cycle, means projecting upwardly through said first mentioned bottom section and said bottom member for rotatably supporting said spray bar and for supplying water thereto, and means including said spray bar for moving ice formed in said molds toward said opening during a harvest cycle.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enclosure is fabricated of a molded synthetic polymeric plastic material.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said enclosure is vacuum formed.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes rigidifying means for said enclosure including a layer of a foam plastic material at least partially surrounding said enclosure.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first shoulder is disposed above said opening and said second shoulder is disposed below said opening.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 7 which includes vertically extending support means rotatably supporting said spray bar in said enclosure.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 which includes an electrically energized motor adjacent the upper end of said enclosure for effecting rotation of said spray bar.
 14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 which includes drive means extending downwardly through said platen drivingly connecting said motor with said spray bar.
 15. The invention as set forth in claim 7 which includes a pair of substantially identical combination evaporator and ice-forming subassemblies, said assemblies being arranged in generally vertically aligned relationship and each comprising an enclosure, a water-holding platen, a refrigerator evaporator, a plurality of inverted ice-forming molds and a rotatable water spray bar for directing water toward the associated of said molds.
 16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 which includes a single drive motor for rotating both of said spray bars.
 17. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said motor is operatively mounted on the uppermost of said assemblies, and which includes drive means drivingly connecting said drive motor with said spray bars, said drive means including a first drive member drivingly connected to the uppermost of said spray bars, and a second drive member drivingly connecting said uppermost spray bar with said spray bar in the lower most of said assemblies, and which includes sealing means providing a fluid seal between the interior of said assemblies and said drive means.
 18. An ice making machine comprising, a plurality of inverted ice molds, a rotatable spray bar for directing water from a water sump into said molds during a freezing cycle, a refrigeration system including an evaporator for freezing water in said molds, a platen for retaining water adjacent said ice molds during a harvest cycle, said platen including means providing for a controlled flow of water back to said water sump to effect removal of foreign material from said water system, said evaporator, water spray bar, ice forming molds, sump and said platen being arranged in a compact unitized assembly, and a control system for operating said spray bar for causing water to be sprayed therefrom during both said freezing and said harvest cycles.
 19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes valve means for selectiveLy communicating said platen with said water sump during said freezing cycle.
 20. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes valve means for communicating said water sump with an external drain during said harvest cycle.
 21. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes valve means for communicating said platen with said water sump during said freeze cycle and for communicating said water sump with a system drain during said harvest cycle.
 22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said valve means is electrically operated in response to an electrical system from a control system.
 23. An ice making machine comprising, a refrigeration system, an ice forming mold, a water system including a water reservoir adapted to contain make-up water for ice to be frozen in said mold during a freezing cycle, a rotatable spray bar disposed below said mold for communicating said make-up water from said water reservoir toward said mold, a thawing water platen for retaining water adjacent said mold during a harvest cycle, means defining a first flow path between said platen and said reservoir along which thawing water may be transferred from said platen to said water reservoir so that said thawing water may constitute the ice make-up water for the next successive freezing cycle, and means defining a second flow path between said platen and said sump for communicating a predetermined additional quantity of water from said platen to said reservoir preparatory to each freezing cycle than is needed for said make-up water, whereby a small amount of excess water may be communicated away from the machine during each cycle thereof in order to prevent the accumulation of foreign material in said water system.
 24. The invention as set forth in claim 23 wherein said last mentioned means comprises flow passage means for communicating water from said platen to said reservoir.
 25. The invention as set forth in claim 24 wherein said flow passage means comprises at least one flow passage formed in said ice forming mold and communicating the interior of said platen with said reservoir.
 26. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes means for draining excess water from said reservoir.
 27. The invention as set forth in claim 23 wherein said platen is disposed directly above said reservoir, and wherein said last mentioned means comprises flow passage means for communicating water from said platen downwardly toward said reservoir.
 28. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes means for continuously operating said spray bar during both said freezing cycle and said harvest cycle.
 29. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes a combination evaporator and ice forming assembly, said assembly comprising an enclosure including a bottom section and a side wall section, a water holding platen disposed within the upper end of said enclosure, a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen, a plurality of inverted ice forming molds arranged in heat transfer relation to said evaporator, each of said molds having at least one fluid passage formed therein for communicating water within said platen toward the lower end of said enclosure, partition means disposed below said spray bar and defining a water reservoir with said bottom section of said enclosure, said partition means adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle dropped downwardly thereon during a harvest cycle, and means for removing said ice from said enclosure.
 30. In an ice making machine, at least two generally vertically aligned combination evaporator ice forming subassemblies, each of said subassemblies comprising an enclosure including a generally horizontal bottom section and an upstanding side wall section, a water holding platen nestingly mounted within the upper end of each enclosure, a set of inverted ice forming molds provided in the lower end of each of said platens, a rEfrigrator evaporator disposed in heat transfer relation with respect to each of said set of molds, an inner bottom member located within each of said enclosures and partially defining fluid reservoirs therein, a rotatable spray bar disposed in each of said enclosures between the underside of the associated platen and the underside of the associated bottom member, vertically disposed rotatable drive members projecting downwardly through the platen of each of said subassemblies, each of said drive members being drivingly engaged with the associated of said spray bars for effecting rotation thereof, and support means projecting upwardly within each of said enclosures through the associated of said bottom members and operable to support the associated of the spray bars for rotary movement and to supply water thereto, said support means and said drive members lying along a common vertical axis, with the support means for the uppermost of the subassemblies constituting at least part of the drive member for the subassembly located directly therebelow.
 31. The invention as set forth in claim 30 wherein each of said subassemblies comprises an enclosure including a generally horizontal bottom section and an upwardly projecting side wall section extending around the periphery of said bottom section, a discharge opening formed in said side wall section, a water holding platen nestingly received within the upper end of said enclosure, said platen including a bottom section arranged generally parallel to said bottom section of said enclosure and a side wall section of a complementary shape with respect to said enclosure side wall section and adapted to be generally contiguously engaged with the inner periphery thereof, a refrigerator evaporator disposed adjacent said platen, a plurality of inverted ice forming molds disposed adjacent said bottom section of said platen and arranged in heat transfer relation to said evaporator, a rotatable water spray bar disposed below said molds and adapted to spray water upwardly toward said molds, an inner bottom member of the same general shape as said enclosure disposed between said spray bar and said bottom section of said enclosure and defining a water sump therewith, means supporting said bottom member within said enclosure including a second inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section, said partition means adapted to have ice formed within said molds during a freezing cycle drop downwardly thereupon during a harvest cycle, means projecting upwardly through said first mentioned bottom section and said bottom member for rotatably supporting said spray bar and for supplying water thereto, and means for supporting said platen within said enclosure including a first inwardly projecting shoulder on said first mentioned side wall section.
 32. The invention as set forth in claim 30 wherein said enclosures are fabricated of a molded synthetic polymeric plastic material.
 33. The invention as set forth in claim 30 wherein said enclosures are vacuum formed.
 34. The invention as set forth in claim 30 which includes rigidifying means for said enclosures including a layer of a foam plastic material at least partially surrounding said enclosures.
 35. The invention as set forth in claim 30 which includes cover means closing the upper end of the uppermost of said enclosures.
 36. The invention as set forth in claim 35 wherein said cover means encloses the upper end of said uppermost enclosure and the associated platen.
 37. The invention as set forth in claim 31 wherein said first shoulder is disposed above said opening and said second shoulder is disposed below said opening.
 38. The invention as set forth in claim 30 which includes first and second vertically spaced shoulders formed in said side wall section of each of said enclosures, said first shoulder operatively supporting the associated of said platens within said enclosure and said second shoulder operatively supporting an inner bottom member within the associated of said enclosures, said inner bottom members cooperating with said bottom sections of said enclosures in defining said reservoirs.
 39. An ice making machine comprising, an inverted ice forming mold, a refrigeration system, a control system for operating said refrigeration system so as to cause water to freeze in said mold during a freezing cycle and to effect release of ice frozen in said mold during a harvest cycle, first water supply means including a rotating spray element for communicating water toward said mold during said freezing cycle, and means including said first water supply means and a second water supply means operable to communicate water toward said mold during said harvest cycle to effect said release of said ice frozen in said mold.
 40. The invention as set forth in claim 39 wherein said second water supply means is communicable with the top of said mold for transmitting heated thawing water thereto during a harvest cycle.
 41. The invention as set forth in claim 40 wherein said control system includes means operable to rotate said spray bar during both said freezing and said harvest cycle.
 42. A device for at least partially effecting the release of ice formed in a plurality of inverted molds disposed adjacent a water holding platen and in operative association with a refrigeration system adapted to cause liquid to freeze in the molds during a freezing cycle, said device including first and second water sources, means including a rotatable spray bar communicable with said first water source and adapted to spray liquid into the undersides of said molds during both an ice freezing cycle and an ice harvest cycle, and means for communicating said second source of liquid with said platen to assist the liquid sprayed into the molds during said harvest cycle in releasing ice formed therein. 